European producers of wood-based panels (represented by EPF) and of furniture (represented by EFIC) as well as FederlegnoArredo (FLA), the Italian member association of both federations, welcome the vote of the European Parliament to strengthen key elements of the Circular Economy in the new Renewable Energy Directive.
In their joint Venice Declaration of July 2016, EPF and EFIC, advocated for an efficient and optimal use of biomass resources, in line with the principle of cascading use of wood. The Federations called for the creation of a level playing field through the removal of subsidy driven market distortions, and for respect of the waste hierarchy to gain maximum resource efficiency from wood and wood waste. Both of these topics were adopted by the European Parliament on January 18th.
“With this positive vote on the Renewable Energy Directive Recast, the European Parliament has sent a clear message that whilst wood and woody biomass will play a major part in Europe’s transition to clean energy, it should first serve its valuable role as a material for industrial products.” So commented Dr Paolo Fantoni, Chairman of EPF.
This smart decision of the European Parliament will pave the way for a more sustainable use of wood and wood residues in Europe by producing wood and furniture products in the first instance, and subsequently reusing and recycling to give wood a second life. At the end of the life cycle, wood residues and waste may become a renewable energy source, through energy recovery.
EPF, EFIC and FLA applaud the European Parliament, and now look to the Council of the European Union to ensure that these values and principles are maintained in the next stage of the Renewable Energy legislative process.
